Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity Review: Stylish but Pricey
The surprising thing about the Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity Triple Pack (Reverse Blade, Black) is how consistently users rave about the aesthetics, even if software hiccups remain a recurring frustration. Across Reddit, Trustpilot, PCPartPicker, and Amazon, the average sentiment hovers impressively high — 8.8/10 overall — with strong praise for cable management and RGB impact. However, issues with the L‑Connect 3 software, occasional hardware failures, and premium pricing temper the enthusiasm.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — a must-buy for aesthetics and modularity, but be prepared for possible software troubleshooting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stunning infinity mirror RGB lighting visible from all angles | Expensive compared to competitors |
| Daisy-chain design reduces cable clutter | L‑Connect 3 software can be glitchy |
| Reverse blade option for intake while keeping front view aesthetics | Occasional hub/controller firmware issues |
| Quiet operation below max RPM | RGB brightness sometimes feels dim |
| Strong airflow for visual-focused builds | Instructions could be clearer |
| Easy installation with included hub | Some users report intermittent fan or lighting failures |
| Works well with mixed standard/reverse blade setups | Requires proprietary controller for full effect |
Claims vs Reality
Lian Li’s marketing highlights these fans as “high-performance cooling with dazzling infinity mirror RGB,” boasting 61.3 CFM airflow, under 29dB noise, and streamlined cable management via magnetic daisy chain design. On paper, the reverse blade variant should allow intake with a consistent aesthetic across a build.
Digging deeper into user reports, the claimed quietness largely holds true, but only under moderate speeds. A Reddit user noted, “Of course, they can get quite loud when running max rpm, but other than that, no issues” — underscoring that the low "29dB" figure might not reflect real-world load noise. This sentiment aligns with Trustpilot’s ErwanF praising them as “very quiet” in his O11 Air Mini build, but it’s speed-dependent.
The modular daisy chain system does deliver on the promise of clean cable routing. Multiple builds on PCPartPicker describe transformative installation experiences. One buyer reported: “The daisy chaining was the best part since I didn’t have to wire them individually,” highlighting a direct benefit over traditional multi-wire fan setups.
Where reality diverges more sharply is in RGB control. While the brand claims “intuitive control interface” via L‑Connect 3, numerous sources — Amazon, Reddit, and PCPartPicker — point to software glitches, hub firmware update failures, or dim lighting until configured correctly. An Amazon review explicitly warns: “All this jumping through hoops just to get my fans to glow in the same color is nuts.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit builds, Trustpilot reviews, and community showcases, the infinity mirror lighting garners near-unanimous praise. Reddit user feedback repeatedly calls them “absolutely lovely fans” with “incredible RGB customization.” The reverse blade’s aesthetic benefit — intake fans matching front-facing design — is cited as a reason some spend extra despite cheaper alternatives. Lian Li’s daisy-chain frame and single-cable design also emerges as a major time-saver for anyone who dislikes cable routing. LDLC customer AlexisD called cable management “perfect thanks to the daisy chain system,” showing appeal to neatness-focused builders.
Cooling performance meets expectations for most setups. In mixed standard and reverse configurations, users praise “great temps” while keeping noise reasonable. A PCPartPicker reviewer using them on a NZXT Kraken 360 confirmed they “look absolutely stunning” and maintained adequate radiator performance.
Common Complaints
RGB control software is by far the most widespread issue. Several Reddit posts detail L‑Connect 3 failing to recognize fans or controllers, sometimes necessitating firmware updates via manual tools. One Amazon buyer bluntly stated, “The problem is the controller, and the L‑Connect software… my controllers firmware is out of date — fans will not spin out of the box.” Others complain the RGB can appear faded or dim until manually tuned, noting limited color range compared to expectations.
Premium cost is another sticking point. A PCPartPicker reviewer admitted, “One star off because of how fking expensive these mf’s are.” Even fans of the product caution about the price relative to performance, given alternatives like Asiahorse Cosmiq at significantly less cost.
While the brand claims universal compatibility, some users ran into USB header scarcity when using multiple fan clusters and solutions like USB splitters. Also, instructions for installation and wiring could be clearer — several mention initial confusion about hub cables or needing additional kit purchases.
Divisive Features
Noise is moderately divisive. While many agree these are quiet under standard use, others believe the loudness at high RPMs is noticeable enough to avoid full speed regularly. RGB brightness perception also splits opinion: some call it “spectacular” and vibrant, while others report needing ambient darkness to fully appreciate the lighting.
Reverse blade airflow trade-offs — slightly higher noise with somewhat better airflow — are noted in Lian Li's own specs, and builders weigh whether the aesthetic benefit outweighs the acoustic penalty.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot reviewers largely reinforce quality and reliability within the first months, often focusing on the “harmonious” colors and absence of mechanical issues. However, Reddit threads reveal mixed long-term experience: one builder using TL Uni Infinity fans alongside SLs admitted to intermittent failures — LED or blade power cutting out — even after warranty replacements. Another reported their AIO’s LCD and all TL fans shutting down mid-game, prompting a replacement plan.
While these aren't dominant themes, they hint at sporadic reliability issues in extended setups with multiple Infinity-series products connected. As one Redditor speculated, such failures may be “hardware issue (?) but it’s difficult to say,” given inconsistent software recognition problems.
Alternatives
Asiahorse Cosmiq 120mm fans appear in cross-platform comparisons as a cheaper RGB alternative. One PCPartPicker user replaced Lian Li units with Asiahorse, praising value: “Way cheaper, and works just fine!” However, the loss is in cohesive infinity mirror aesthetics and Lian Li’s modular chain design.
Other Lian Li fan lines like the TL Infinity or SLV2 offer similar RGB and chaining features, with slight variations in blade orientation, lighting zones, and perceived brightness. Reverse blade versions of the SLV2 deliver intake visuals with slightly better airflow but add up to 32dBA max from the stock 29dB rating in SL-Infinity specs.
Price & Value
At the time of review, eBay listings range from $114.84 (+$30.99 shipping) to $189 with free shipping, while UK pricing sits around £64.99–£79.99 for 3-packs. Community consensus deems these “on the pricier side” but worth it for builders prioritizing aesthetic cohesion. Resale value seems steady due to persistent demand for high-end RGB fans, especially in black/reverse configurations that fit premium case builds.
Buying tips include ensuring you have spare USB headers or splitters, budgeting for proprietary controllers, and, if possible, waiting for bundle deals to offset controller costs.
FAQ
Q: Do the reverse blade fans perform as well as standard orientation fans?
A: They offer slightly better airflow at the cost of higher noise (around 32dBA vs 29dB). Many buyers choose them for visual uniformity in intake positions rather than raw performance.
Q: Is L‑Connect 3 required to use these fans?
A: For full RGB control, yes. You can bypass it and run fans via motherboard PWM, but lighting customization will be minimal without the software.
Q: Are the fans loud at full speed?
A: Under 29dB at typical use; louder at ~2100 RPM. Users generally avoid max RPM unless needed for heavy cooling.
Q: What’s the main advantage of the daisy chain design?
A: Cleaner builds — a single cable cluster reduces clutter and speeds up installation, especially in multi-fan setups.
Q: Can these be mixed with non-Lian Li fans?
A: Physically yes, but RGB effects and daisy chaining won't integrate — you'll lose unified lighting control.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re building a visually cohesive PC with premium RGB focus and value cable management efficiency. Avoid if you’re sensitive to high RPM noise, want budget cooling, or dislike proprietary software dependencies. Pro tip from community: ensure firmware is up to date immediately after installation to prevent fan or RGB recognition issues.
